Posted on April 19, 2022
For some living things it is a migration through time that ushers in their seemingly too brief visit each spring. For others it’s a journey through both time and space. In each case April brings “magic” to the central Ohio woods and meadows. It’s a time of beauty in small things as the grander landscape has just begun to put on its coat of green.
With the cool spring it wasn’t that long ago that we saw Snow Trillium, now the Large Flower Trillium have started to appear.
Despite the cold spring in nearby trees we now notice early spring migrants, flowers of another kind.
Sometimes it’s hard to know where to look. Up or down? Wildflowers capture our imagination, but when we look down as our feet shuffle through last year’s leaf litter and see Twinleaf or Cutleaf Toothwort, how many warblers fly by overhead? A good problem to have.
Almost too small to notice with the naked eye several objects are in constant erratic motion in the nearby brush. We pursue them with our binoculars, which often only brings a bare branch into focus, but finally succeed in identifying them as a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Most of what interests me in nature, a wildflower at my feet or a warbler in a tree, is small. Much of it would go unnoticed if I didn’t pay attention and even so there is much that is missed. Wildflowers not as often, but birds really do benefit when viewed though a decent pair of binoculars. However, having said that, the start is really about paying attention. But how does one care enough about things, that have never been experienced or even seen, to pay attention, to look, to listen? For me that’s the wisdom that time spent in nature graciously provides.
Along with those that may be passing through, other birds also compete for our attention.
The natural world speaks to us in a voice without words. In the “year” of human history it’s been less than four hours that technology and our modern lifestyle, with its illusion of wellbeing and comfort, has isolated us from that world. For many of us its voice is no longer heard. For most of our history we have been an integral part of nature, we have been nature! So, it may not be surprising that it is a voice that truly speaks to our soul. It’s ironic that technology now lets us share its sights and sounds in ways heretofore not imagined. When it comes to appreciating birds, modern binoculars have only been around for a little over 100 years and capable digital photography not much more than 20. Fortunately, if we just get out of our houses and cars and venture into nature without any modern technology, there is much that it has to say.
Thanks for stopping by.
Category: Central Ohio Nature, Central Ohio Parks, Columbus, Griggs Reservoir Park, Nature Photography, Ohio Nature, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Wildflowers Tagged: Bloodroot, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Broad-winged Hawk, Brown Thrasher, Cut Leaf Toothwort, Dutchman's Breeches, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, Large-flowered Trillium, Northern Cardinal, Northern Flicker, Red Winged Blackbird, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Spring Beauty, Toadshade Trillium, Tufted Titmouse, Twinleaf, Virginia Bluebells, Yellow-rumped Warbler
Posted on October 22, 2019
It promised to be a pleasant mid-October day with little wind. Cool 45F morning air was the price of admission as we started our paddle on a local reservoir. Seeking the sun’s warmth we headed for the western shore as the canoe moved through the still water with a graceful confidence. The outing was prompted by a favorable forecast and the realization that, given the time of year, one never knows how many nice day’s are left. Leaves still adorned trees with subtle hints of central Ohio’s fall color. In a month, should we be blessed with a equally warm day, branches would be bare the landscape brown and gray.
.
The west side of the long narrow reservoir is populated by numerous large homes set back (for the most part) a reasonable distance from the shore. A few small interspersed wooded areas provide a nice habitat for deer, beaver, mink and various species of birds. As we headed north, warblers, blue jays, and robins flitted about at waters edge in trees warmed by the morning sun, none cooperating for a photograph.
.
However, we hadn’t gone far when a young male Wood Duck was spotted. It wasn’t sure which way to go as we approached and it’s ever changing direction caused it’s blue wing feathers to light up.
.
Other things were also seen during our paddle and as we briefly explored the north end of the reservoir on foot.
A beautiful White-crowned Sparrow, our first sighting of the season, Kiwanis Riverway Park, (Donna).
Previous frosty nights had done little to curb this Monkey Flower’s enthusiasm, Kiwanis Riverway Park.
.
We have seen our share of Whitetail Dear along the reservoir. In fact they are so common we hardly take notice. But at one point during our paddle what we saw stopped us in our tracks. At first, with only the tip of one antler visible, it wasn’t clear what it was, but as I slowed the canoe, and my wife got ready to shoot, it looked up.
.
We had never seen such a large buck and it made our day!
.
Nineteen mile an hour winds will keep us off the reservoir today so perhaps I’ll actually get some things done around the house. Thanks for stopping by.
.
Category: Birding in Ohio, canoeing in central ohio, Central Ohio Nature, Columbus, Griggs Reservoir, Griggs Reservoir Park, Kiwanis Riverway Park, Nature Photography, Ohio Nature, Paddling and Nature Photography, Scioto River, Wildflowers, wildlife Tagged: Downy Woodpecker, Field Sparrow, Fiery Skipper, Great Blue Heron, Map Turtle, Monkey Flower, White-crowned Sparrow, White-tailed Deer, Wood Duck
Building meaningful and joyful connections to nature
An arts & literary journal
We only live once. Hence, let's not stop dreaming
Getaways to the authentic Florida
An exploration of walks, hikes and other experiences
Learning to embrace nature and appreciate the beauty around us every day
You can find a rich experience close to home.
By Sandra Js Photography - Make the rest of your life the best of your life.
Chesapeake Bay's Nature & Wildlife Beauty Through My Lens
The life of an elderly Londoner and her travels.
A look at life in the borders
Insight, information, and inspiration for the inquisitive nature photographer
The Wildlife in Nature
Home of Lukas Kondraciuk Photography
Ellen Grace Olinger
Only the Sense of the Sacred can Save us
Nature photography
My journey through photography